Sven Baertschi benefited from a critical crash course on how to handle adversity, expectation and the unknown last season.

His mentor was the younger and unflappable Bo Horvat, who demonstrated on a daily basis that a drive to prove his franchise worth to the Vancouver Canucks was more than just carefully crafted words. He walked the walk.

Rewarded with a six-year, US$33 million contract extension, the future captain’s ability to adapt to a bigger workload as an emerging centre and lead the struggling National Hockey League club in scoring — all while being constantly peppered about a contract extension — resonated with Baertschi.

The left winger is entering the same scrutinized space. Entering the final phase of a two-year, $3.7 million extension, Baertschi becomes a restricted free agent next summer and will present pressure to perform, especially with arbitration rights.

Left winger Sven Baertschi is entering a critical season with the Canucks.

Baertschi is coming off an encouraging 18-goal career season — especially after missing nine games in February with a concussion — and could amass 25 goals if more persistent and consistent. If he becomes part of more inventive power-play alignments designed by assistant coach Newell Brown, including four-forward deployments, it’s a realistic expectation.

Most importantly, Baertschi doesn’t have to look far for motivation.

There’s a comfort factor knowing new Canucks bench boss Travis Green won’t waver from a firm-but-fair approach — their association dates back to Portland of the WHL and Utica of the AHL — but the biggest factor is Horvat. After all, how can you not help but absorb everything that’s good about a 22-year-old who’s already the poster boy for everything that’s right about the franchise?

“It’s amazing, said Baertschi, who turns 25 next month. “He comes in every single day and leaves it all out there, whether it’s a practice or a game. He spends extra time on the ice because he wants to get better and he doesn’t get easily frustrated.

“He believes in himself and knows things are going to happen for him. It’s been fun to watch. He’s a good person and cares a lot about everybody and at times more about everybody else than himself.”

Baertschi believes Horvat’s ability to put the team first — even though he’s incredibly hard on himself — helped put a 17-game goal drought to end the season in perspective. The centre had 38 shots in that span, including a six-shot outing. There was no lack of effort in bold rushes to the net and a down-low presence that only produced hit crossbars and posts and plenty of shaking of the head.

“The biggest thing is you don’t want to get caught up in it (contract extension) and the one thing you really can do is focus on your team,” added Baertschi. “That’s translates into your game. Obviously, you can’t talk around it (contract) and it comes with a little bit of pressure. Focus on your team and put your ego aside.”

Baertschi has had his share of ego-shattering moments in the Calgary Flames organization and some tough Canucks love. It’s why he understands the signing of 33-year-old unrestricted free agent right winger Thomas Vanek — who could be his linemate — to a one year, $2 million contract. He also gets why the Brock Boeser roster watch will only intensify as the pre-season progresses.

On one hand, the Canucks had the 29th-ranked offence and power pay last season and Vanek could be a right-shot solution to the first unit. Sam Gagner, 28, is also a right shot and so is the 20-year-old Boeser, who has a wicked release and and a heavy and accurate one-timer slapper. Boeser could benefit from starting the season in Utica if not part of the top-six mix, but he could force the roster issue here.

“It’s going to be a way more competitive camp and that makes guys accountable,” suggested Baertschi.

Sven Baertschi has learned to play a more complete game. Now he needs consistency.

And amid the Boeser boosterism — it’s hard not get excited about a rookie winger who had four goals in nine games last spring — comes a cautionary first-round pick tale from Baertschi.

He never found traction with the Flames over three seasons in which he played 66 games and had but eight goals. He wanted out and was dealt to the Canucks for a second-round pick in 2015. Baertschi got his game together in Utica after the trade when the Comets advanced to the Calder Cup final. He had seven goals in 15 regular-season games and then eight in 21 playoff games.

Projecting how late-season chemistry with Boeser could play out this fall is hard to predict.

“He’s got to know he’s going to be a great player at some point,” stressed Baertschi. “I know he’s going to have a great camp, but certain decisions may be out of his hands. For me back then (Calgary), I don’t think I was patient enough. But I learned from it and moved on.”